3/7/2013 |
Felix in fine form during spring debutPitching in his first game since signing a $175 million contract extension, Mariners ace Felix Hernandez gave up one run in two innings of work Thursday against the Royals and pronounced himself stronger than a year ago as he begins his ninth Major League season.

3/7/2013 |
Mo set to announce retirement plans SaturdayIt appears that one of the great careers in baseball history will be ending this year. Mariano Rivera is expected to announce on Saturday that he intends to retire following the 2013 season.

3/7/2013 |
Former Padre Ashby high on team's futureFormer Padres pitcher Andy Ashby wasn't sure what to expect when he was invited to be a guest instructor at the team's mini-camp for Minor League prospects. What Ashby has witnessed in his nearly two-week stay in Peoria has astounded him.

3/7/2013 |
Moscoso struggles as unbeaten streak endsGuillermo Moscoso allowed five runs, including a grand slam, in the fourth inning as the Royals took their first spring loss, a 12-2 thumping by the Mariners on Thursday. Ervin Santana allowed a run over the first three innings.

3/7/2013 |
Iannetta settling in as second year beginsAs Chris Iannetta prepares for his second season as the Angels' starting catcher, he exudes a confidence and comfort level buoyed by an organization that holds paramount the pitcher-catcher relationship.

3/7/2013 |
Blister forces Giants to scratch LincecumStill suffering from a nagging blister on his right middle finger, Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum was scratched from a scheduled start Thursday for the second time in six days.

3/7/2013 |
Cobb, Rays relievers strong against PiratesRays starter Alex Cobb and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, and the Rays took advantage of a throwing error by novice third baseman Gaby Sanchez to score four unearned runs in the seventh inning to down the Pirates, 4-2, in spring baseball on Thursday

3/7/2013 |
Against all odds, Fife keeping rotation hopes aliveNow the Dodgers have nine starting pitchers. "That's been my goal, that by the end of spring, just to keep my name in the mix," Stephen Fife said after delivering a solid spot start for the Dodgers on Wednesday against Team Mexico in place of the ailing Zack Greinke.

3/7/2013 |
Beltre's homer marks five-run fifth as Texas tiesFormer Dodger Adrian Beltre slugged a two-run homer off former Rangers teammate Mark Lowe, and Leonys Martin drove in three runs for the Rangers as they tied the Dodgers, 11-11, at Camelback Ranch on Thursday.

3/7/2013 |
Davey knows, and so does everyone around himDavey Johnson has obviously mellowed. In casual conversations, he doesn't sound as head-strong as he was nearly a half-century ago. Few players were as cocky, but that's what made Johnson so good, so darn determined.

3/7/2013 |
Astros sink Nats behind Humber's scoreless outingAstros starting pitcher Philip Humber threw four scoreless innings and Jason Castro delivered a late-game two-run single to help send the Astros to a 4-2 win over the Nationals on Thursday afternoon at Osceola County Stadium.

3/7/2013 |
Versatile A's duo ready for repeat performanceAfter position switches, Sean Doolittle and Josh Donaldson helped lead the A's to an improbable AL West title last season, and they are looking forward to another successful run in 2013.

3/7/2013 |
Hultzen feeling fine, gearing for bullpen sessionMariners left-hander Danny Hultzen, who has been sidelined since Monday with a mild strain in his right hip, played catch on Thursday and will throw an easy bullpen session on Friday as he works his way back toward game action.

3/7/2013 |
Jeter cleared to resume full baseball activitiesThe Yankees announced Thursday that Derek Jeter has received final medical clearance to begin full baseball activities. He is expected to be at the team's Spring Training facility in Tampa on Friday.

3/7/2013 |
Kozma, Descalso homer as Cards rally past YanksKolten Wong drilled a two-run home run to draw the Cardinals even in the ninth before Adron Chambers' walk-off RBI single in a 7-6 St. Louis win over the Yankees at Roger Dean Stadium on Thursday. The game was the first of two spring matchups between the two clubs.

3/7/2013 |
Barnes' tattoos tell stories of faith and familyEach one tells a story. Each one has a meaning. Brandon Barnes wears them with pride and welcomes the opportunity to talk about them with anyone who's curious. But these are more than simply conversation starters.

3/7/2013 |
Melvin back to work after scorpion stingBrewers GM Doug Melvin was back in his office Thursday morning after spending three hours in an emergency the previous night as a result of a scorpion sting on his finger.

3/7/2013 |
Cubs 'Committed' to loyal fans with new campaignThe Cubs and Schafer Condon Carter have launched a new campaign that honors passionate Cubs fans and the team's commitment to ultimately reward the most loyal fans in sports with a World Series championship.

3/7/2013 |
Cuba won't take upset-minded Dutch lightlyCuba went undefeated in three games to win Pool A, but it opens the second round against a Dutch team that has performed well in the past vs. the international baseball powerhouse.

3/7/2013 |
Japan hopes to get bats going vs. Chinese TaipeiTwo-time defending World Baseball Classic champion Japan had just one extra-base hit in the first round, and it will face a tough test in former Yankees All-Star Chien-Ming Wang and Chinese Taipei on Friday.